VCU fans come out to greet team

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RICHMOND, Va. -- A day of excitement, celebration and delirium wasn't quite enough for VCU basketball fans, who turned out late Sunday night to welcome home their triumphant Rams.

Less than 12 hours after Virginia Commonwealth pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history, fans braved a cold night to greet coach Shaka Smart and his Final Four-bound team.

The Rams' flight back from San Antonio, Texas, to Richmond was scheduled to arrive around 1 a.m. Monday.

The 11th seeded Rams became the story of the tournament Sunday when they took a huge early lead on top-seeded Kansas, rebuffed a second-half challenge and pulled away to win 71-61.

About 14,000 students watched the game on the big screen at the Siegel Center, the Rams' home arena, then poured out onto Broad Street to party when it was over.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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